Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 9, 2025
09:03
Differentiation of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells to Brain Microvascular Endothelial Cell-Like Cells with a Mature Immune Phenotype
Published on: May 19, 2023
2.7K
Evaluation of Cell's Passability in the ECM Network
Yongrou Zhang1, Zetao Huang2, Shoubin Dong2
1Guangdong Key Laboratory of Modern Control Technology, Guangdong Institute of Intelligent Manufacturing, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China; School of Civil Engineering and Transportation, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
Biophysical Journal
|September 6, 2020
Summary
This study introduces a collagen fiber network model to evaluate extracellular matrix (ECM) properties like pore size and stiffness. This model quantifies ECM passability for cell migration, enhancing our understanding of tissue mechanics.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Materials Science
- Cell Biology
Background:
- The extracellular matrix (ECM) microstructure significantly influences cell migration, particularly nonproteolytic movement.
- Quantifying ECM properties like stiffness and cell migration passability remains challenging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop methods for studying microstructural properties of the ECM, including pore size and stiffness.
- To identify potential cell migration pathways within the ECM.
- To quantitatively evaluate the passability of the ECM network for cell migration.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a well-established network model of collagen fibers in the ECM.
- Developed methods to analyze microstructural properties such as pore size and pore stiffness.
- Applied a defined criterion to quantitatively assess ECM network passability for cell migration.
Main Results:
- Successfully simulated ECM mechanical behaviors including stress-strain relationships, damage, and failure.
- Identified and analyzed microstructural properties relevant to cell migration.
- Provided a quantitative evaluation of ECM passability for cell migration.
Conclusions:
- The proposed fiber network model and analysis methods enhance the understanding of ECM microstructural properties.
- This approach improves the ability to evaluate the passability of ECM networks for cell migration.
- Offers a novel framework for assessing tissue biomechanics and cell motility.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:24Overview of Cell-Matrix Interactions
8.6K
The extracellular matrix or ECM holds cells together to form a tissue and allows the cells within the tissue to communicate. ECM comprises proteins such as fibronectin, collagen, laminin, etc. The most abundant protein in this space is collagen. Collagen fibers are interwoven with carbohydrate-containing protein molecules called proteoglycans. ECM allows cell migration and provides a structural scaffold at cell adhesion that anchors the cell when the extracellular matrix proteins interact with...
8.6K
01:03Anchoring Junctions
4.6K
Anchoring junctions are multiprotein complexes that help cells connect to other cells and the extracellular matrix. Anchoring junctions are present on the lateral and basal surfaces of cells, providing strong and flexible connections. Focal adhesions are often formed due to cell interactions with the ECM substrata, which initiate signal transduction via kinase cascades and other mechanisms. Together, they provide stability and tissue integrity. There are three types of anchoring junctions:...
4.6K
01:24Cellular Membranes and Drug Transport
1.3K
Drugs must traverse multiple biological barriers, such as multi-layered skin, single-layered intestinal epithelium, and the plasma membrane, to reach their target sites within the body. The plasma membrane, a highly structured composite of phospholipids, carbohydrates, and proteins, is the cell's protective boundary, facilitating selective substance exchange.
Phospholipids arrange themselves into a bilayer, with hydrophilic heads oriented outward and hydrophobic tails facing inward.
Phospholipids arrange themselves into a bilayer, with hydrophilic heads oriented outward and hydrophobic tails facing inward.
1.3K
01:29Insertion of Multi-pass Transmembrane Proteins in the RER
16.8K
The rough ER membrane synthesizes, assembles, and embeds transmembrane proteins in diverse topologies. These proteins function as transporters or channels and can remain in the ER membrane or are sent to the Golgi complex, lysosome, and cell membrane.
The multipass transmembrane proteins are the type IV integral membrane proteins with multiple topogenic sequences determining their spatial arrangement in the ER membrane. Nearly all multipass proteins lack a cleavable signal sequence and use...
The multipass transmembrane proteins are the type IV integral membrane proteins with multiple topogenic sequences determining their spatial arrangement in the ER membrane. Nearly all multipass proteins lack a cleavable signal sequence and use...
16.8K
01:15Activation of Integrins
4.7K
Integrins bind ligands and transmit information from outside the cell to inside or vice-versa through an "outside-in signaling" or "inside-out signaling."
In "outside-in signaling," external factors in the extracellular space bind to exposed ligand binding sites on integrins. This causes the inactive protein to undergo a conformational change to become active. Integrins are often clustered on the cell membrane. Repetitive and regularly spaced ligand binding...
In "outside-in signaling," external factors in the extracellular space bind to exposed ligand binding sites on integrins. This causes the inactive protein to undergo a conformational change to become active. Integrins are often clustered on the cell membrane. Repetitive and regularly spaced ligand binding...
4.7K